Plum Valley Cowboys Book 1: Fool Hearts by Emmy Sanders

 

Plum Valley Cowboys Book 1

Best friends. Unrequited love. A story that spans decades.

Wyatt

At twelve, he was my best friend. At sixteen, he became my crush. And now, at thirty-four, he’s the man I’m still pining after.

Falling in love with Easton was never part of the plan. But now that I’ve done it, I can’t seem to stop. It doesn’t help that we’re living under the same roof. Or that Easton is so dang sweet I want to lick him from head to toe.

But Easton is straight, and all the cattle in Texas won’t change the fact that he’ll never look at me the way I see him. I want someone who can love me back. And I won’t be able to find that while I’m hung up on my best friend.

It’s time to find a way to say goodbye.

Easton

I always knew I was a little bit different than everybody else. When kids my age were hooking up, all I wanted to do was sit on the ranch with Wyatt and plot out our future. I didn’t need anyone else.

When Wyatt leaves Plum Valley, he takes a piece of me with him. When he returns at the moment I need him most, he helps me to heal and feel whole again. We have a good life now, Wyatt and I, best friends still after all these years.

So when I happen to catch my friend down on his knees in the barn, I don’t understand why, all of a sudden, I’m thinking things I shouldn’t be. Now, I can’t stop wondering and wanting.

But would taking that chance with Wyatt risk the best thing in my life?

Fool Hearts is a small-town, longtime friends to lovers romance with a whole lot of pining, a bi-awakening in a barn, swoon-worthy cowboys, a roller coaster of emotions, and one very HEA. It’s book 1 in the Plum Valley Cowboys series but can be read as a standalone.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60387417-fool-hearts

********

My Review: 4/5 Stars

Wyatt and Easton have been best friends their entire lives. Growing up together, nothing could tear them apart. You couldn’t find one without the other. So when Wyatt realized he was in love with Easton when they were teenagers, he wasn’t surprised. But he knew heartbreak was inevitable. Because Easton had never looked at him that way. And with their town making it clear they didn’t really like anyone who was anything but straight, Wyatt knew that one day he would have to leave. Wyatt and Easton’s love story spans over years. The ups and downs of so many life events. Like when Easton actually looked at someone and fell in love and it wasn’t Wyatt. Like Wyatt leaving when he knew he couldn’t stay and watch his best friend be with someone else and the town finding out Wyatt was gay. But despite the obstacles, they held close to one another. Especially when there comes a day when Easton needs Wyatt to come home. Despite the years going by with these two being nothing more than friends, it becomes oh so satisfying when that day finally arrives. Because it is clear that these two were always meant to be together. It just took them a bit to get to that point at the same time. But I loved their friendship and how it developed into so much more. It was a deeper love by the time they got a chance to acknowledge what they were to one another. Just a great story all around!

Assistant to the Villain Book 1: Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

 

Assistant to the Villain Book 1

ASSISTANT WANTED: Notorious, high-ranking villain seeks loyal, levelheaded assistant for unspecified office duties, supporting staff for random mayhem and terror, and other Dark Things In General. Discretion a must. Excellent benefits.

With ailing family to support, Evie Sage's employment status isn't just important, it's vital. So when a mishap with Rennedawn’s most infamous Villain results in a job offer―naturally, she says yes. No job is perfect, of course, but even less so when you develop a teeny crush on your terrifying, temperamental, and undeniably hot boss. Don’t find evil so attractive, Evie.

But just when she’s getting used to severed heads suspended from the ceiling and the odd squish of an errant eyeball beneath her heel, Evie suspects this dungeon has a huge rat…and not just the literal kind. Because something rotten is growing in the kingdom of Rennedawn, and someone wants to take the Villain―and his entire nefarious empire―out.

Now Evie must not only resist drooling over her boss but also figure out exactly who is sabotaging his work…and ensure he makes them pay.

After all, a good job is hard to find.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123257687-assistant-to-the-villain#SocialReviews

********

My Review: 4/5 Stars

Evie is in desperate need of work so she can support her sick father and little sister. She just never expected to literally fall into the arms of her next employer. Or that her new boss would be the one known as The Villain. The evil guy causing all sorts of havoc in the kingdom. She is the assistant of The Villain…and she loves it. There is definitely more to her boss than meets the eye. And the more she gets to know him and those who are also in his employment, the more she believes that she is exactly where she belongs. And that maybe this villain isn’t so bad. Well, mostly. And when there seems to be a spy amongst their midsts, she’ll do whatever she can to help track them down. This story was actually quite hilarious. It’s definitely a more humor fantasy than anything else. What office humor would look like in a fantasy world. And Evie is hysterical. She’s clumsy, funny, sarcastic, smart, and just overall a really good person. I loved trying to guess what she was going to do or say next. Especially when it comes to The Villain. Oh, and his point of view scenes were so fantastic as well. I loved seeing his reactions to Evie. I’m sensing a bit of a slow burn forming for these two. Feelings are definitely there, but fully acting on them is doing to take a while is my guess. We have an interesting world and characters! I also thought we had a lot of fun twists in this story as well. I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes. 

Northern Roots Atlantic Book 4: Hollow Heart by Eve Holmes

 

Northern Roots Atlantic Book 4

Not everything that looks broken needs to be fixed — it just needs the right conditions to grow

Growing up on the red sand beaches and farm fields of Prince Edward Island, Silas Gallant and Levi Campbell were each other's whole world. They were best friends who understood each other in a way no one else ever could.

But as the easy freedom of childhood gave way to the weight of expectation, the life they shared slowly began to shift. Levi left the island to chase a future in agricultural technology and a world bigger than the fields he grew up in, while Silas stayed, rooted in the safety of his family's potato farm, and in the belief that people will always leave.

Years of silence and hurt pass before their distance closes, and Levi finds himself contracted to support a farm back on PEI. On the same red soil he once ran with his best friend. Old hurt lingers, turning familiarity into tension neither of them knows how to navigate — until slowly, they begin to let each other back in, and question if they ever truly split apart.

Among summer sunsets, red sand beaches, lighthouses, and open fields, Silas and Levi begin to find each other again — learning that they were never meant to stand on opposite sides of the same ground.

And that without each other, their hearts could never be whole.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250019349-hollow-heart

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

I am obsessed with this series. Each book just gets better and better. I adored getting to know Levi and Silas. Their story begins as children. Two best friends who understood one another in ways many couldn’t. Especially for Silas who struggles in a number of ways but Levi has endless patience for his best friend. Their love story is a wonderful slow burn as these two grow up together and soon find themselves lost to one another as distance becomes their enemy. Then, Levi returns. And it’s time to repair the hurt and distance between them. And in doing so, they may just realize that this deep friendship of theirs can be so much more if they are brave enough to try. I loved these two. I couldn’t put this book down. This series is just filled with beautiful and complex characters. Their journeys in life can be rough at times but when they find the one they are meant to be by their side, they become so much stronger. I loved watching them overcome the obstacles that hold them back and come out the other side being exactly who they were meant to be. I loved seeing how Levi and Silas’s friendship may have had their obstacles and they had to find their way back to one another. And then when they do, they learn even more about themselves and who they could be together. A wonderful story. I couldn’t put it down!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Peach State Fratbros Book 3: For Frat’s Sake by Devon McCormack & Riley Hart

 

Peach State Frat Bros Book 3

DAX

Miles Tanner hates me for no reason.

Me—lovable, easygoing, sexy-as-hell Dax Armstrong, always there when a fellow fratbro needs a hand…or if that fratbro would like to enjoy more than just my hand…

Miles is the broody artist-type who just got off probation for starting the fire at Sigma Alpha.

Basically, a walking red flag.

But for a guy who’s always looking to start a fight with me, I can’t wrap my mind around a night when I was a little too tipsy and he helped me back to Alpha Theta Mu.

Since then, he’s hot and cold. One minute he’s telling me to stay away from him. The next, he moves in for a touch.

Or a kiss.

In these unguarded moments, all those problematic, confusing red flags fade to the background.

Maybe he’s right and I shouldn’t mess with him, but for frat’s sake…where’s the fun in that?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242284253-for-frat-s-sake

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Definitely my favorite of the series so far! I absolutely fell in love with Miles and Dax and just everything about their story. And I loved seeing how these two fell for one another, especially when they seem like such opposites. Miles currently has a reputation at school for being a loner and the guy whose prank accidentally caused a fire at one of the frat houses. Since then, no one really seems to really think much of him past what they’ve seen. Especially when he acts more grumpy than anything and clearly has stay away vibes. But there is a lot more to Miles than that. First off, there was more to that accident than anyone knows and second, Dax seems to be the only one who realize that Miles wears a mask. Dax has never had a problem with anyone. Everyone seems to like him just fine. Except for his dad and now Miles. He is sunshine and outgoing and can’t seem to get why Miles act like a super nice guy one minute but brushes him off the next. And the more their paths cross, the more Dax wants to know. Neither are prepared for attraction between them to spark so brightly or the feelings that follow after. But these two carry a lot more hurt and grief than anyone truly knows. They understand one another so well and for the first time, the two of them find safety in the other’s presence. Absolutely loved their dynamic. These two simply just needed one another. Needed to find their person who they can let their guard down. I loved getting to know them and watch them fall so hard for one another through all the hard things they are going through. Great story! And I’m looking forward to the next book!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Bridge Kingdom Book 6: The Tempest Blade by Danielle L. Jensen

 

The Bridge Kingdom Book 6

A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one goal: return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But as she escapes into the wilderness, it is with the man who broke her heart hunting at her heels—and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge.

Desperate to prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father’s killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna’s trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested—and the more the passion they once shared reignites.

As schemes twist tighter and war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the enemy isn’t each other—it is the masterminds manipulating them both in pursuit of power. Yet their greatest obstacle remains, because their loyalties are to opposing sides in the battle to come. As the storms of the Tempest Seas lower their defenses, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts lie: on the battlefield, or in each other’s arms.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239779236-the-tempest-blade

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Now that is how you end a series! Oh man, that was so good! Especially after that last cliffhanger, I had no idea how anything was going to play off. Last we left off, Ahnna was running for her life after being framed for killing the king of Harendell. The plan so perfectly set that even James, the man she had fallen in love with, believes she is guilty. But there are several other moving pieces going on. The real villains have spun so many threads of deception that finding the truths and evidence will fall not to just Ahnna and James, but to our other favorites of the series: Lara, Aren, Keris, and Zarrah. Going for no spoilers here, but this story was just so great. And it was super long in the best way. It was fast paced, we got to see multiple point of views, and it was just something that kept you on your toes the entire read. Just when you think you figured one thing out, something else happened. I was constantly wondering how Ahnna and James were going to make it through the story with a happy ending when so much was against them. But I loved how it all played it out in the end. It was a satisfying way to end the series and James and Ahnna were the best to bring this series to a close. I loved their dynamic and how they grew so much in this book and even the last. And that after everything, the love they had for one another just became stronger. Great story all around and I am going to miss being in this world!

Sins of the Zodiac Book 3: Cinder Vale by Caroline Peckham & Susanne Valenti

 

Sins of the Zodiac Book 3

The dragons are lost.

The elements are at war. Enlisting isn’t optional.

And I’m falling for a man who wants me dead.

I’m a wielder of hearts and summoner of corruption. Heir to nothing and born to a fool in the wrong damn month.

But I’m also one of only two Fae in this divided land of hellions who might be starting to see through the lies we’ve swallowed for so long.

In the year we turn twenty-one, conscripts from across the warring nations of air, fire, earth and water are sent to Never Keep – the only place in our besieged continent where our magic can be Awakened.

But something is wrong inside Never Keep. Something which might extend far beyond the reaches of this desolate fortress. Within the gothic walls of this frigid castle in the snow, we’re left to hold our own against the brutal Fae from the opposing lands.

The Reapers are merciless. The Royals are lying. The Werewolves run rampant and Vampires roam the wastelands in bloodthirsty covens. But even though death lurks in every shadow of the Keep, it’s the least of my worries.

I’m delving into secrets the stars don’t want me uncovering, making alliances with Fae born to be my enemy, falling for a sinner while promising my heart to a different heathen and somewhere amid it all, I’m supposed to win a war.

I thought the only thing I had to do was survive my magical instruction.

Turns out, fate doesn’t favour the wicked.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/232736952-cinder-vale

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

For once a cliffhanger that doesn’t rip your heart out but! Leaves us definitely wanting more considering who just made an appearance. So now I’m super excited for book 4! But let’s talk book 3 first! So, picking up where we left off, lots going on. Vesper unfortunately had to betray Bastien a bit by bringing him to her people, but these two are playing a dangerous game of politics to find their freedom. And for Vesper to finally avenge her sister in arms. These two aren’t done with one another yet in the best of ways and they’ll also have to work together to help Vesper finish fixing the keystones. Meanwhile, Everest has been embraced by her father and people when she became the Void and is now trying to finish this war. But finally getting what she wants isn’t what she thought it would be. Add in the guilt about her killing Kaiser, well, she is a little bit confused on all her feelings. Little does she know that Kaiser is alive and what she did was actually break a spell on him that took away his emotions. He now has to learn to deal with that but also is desperate need to find Everest. And while the war between all four of these elements are in constant motion, there is a bigger threat coming from the Reapers. So we finally get some allies and team ups with our favorite characters. Overall, a lot going on. And I think we are hitting what is my favorite part of these series is which is seeing everyone come together for the bigger cause. I feel like we got a lot of character development with several of the characters in this book, which I also loved. And like always we get a cliffhanger but for once this one was quite good in my opinion. Just made me excited to see more and what comes next now that new players have entered the game. Can’t wait!

Shatter Me: The New Republic Book 2: Release Me by Tahereh Mafi

 

Shatter Me: The New Republic Book 2

The searing second volume in a new series set in the #1 global bestselling Shatter Me universe ten years after the fall of The Reestablishment.

Rosabelle Wolff had a plan. Now she wants revenge. To save her sister she needs to get back home and destroy the system that created her. Rosabelle’s greatest strength is her ability to deaden her mind and body; it’s the only way to survive the surveillance state of Ark Island. But lately her heart has been beating harder; her thoughts are spiraling; her defenses are coming undone.

And there’s only one person to blame.

James Anderson had a plan. Now he has nothing but problems. Rosabelle might be the ally they need in a fight against The Reestablishment, but no one wants to trust an enemy assassin. It doesn’t help that Rosabelle’s not much of a talker, doesn’t work well in groups, and kills people on instinct. Taking her side has cost James nearly everything—but keeping her alive might help save his world.

If only he could convince his older brother.

Aaron Warner Anderson has a headache. Something dark is coming, and Rosabelle’s arrival is just a prelude. In her, he sees shades of himself he can’t trust, and he can no longer get a read on the girl. She’s a dead battery, emanating no emotional feedback. At least not until James walks into a room…

Volcanic tension, breathless reveals, breakneck action—and a dystopian world that never stops raising the 

Welcome back to The New Republic.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/237100532-release-me

********

My Review: 5/5 Stars

Dang. Another freaking cliffhanger. Still, I’m glad to be back in this world with a new series! I devoured this book. The fast pacing makes it so easy to fall into and just not look up until you’re done. And with the way the previous book ended, I was eager to dive back in to see what happened next. Rosabelle may have decided to destroy the system that created her but any trust she may have gained has definitely shattered. Not that anyone besides James was willing to hear her out. Now, she has to find a way to get back home and quickly. Or else, it may just be too late to save anyone. James is paying the price for bringing Rosabelle into their world. But deep down he believes that she can help them. But proving that, especially to his brother, is nearly impossible. And the connection between Rosabelle and James just grows more intense. And as for Warner, well, he is being Warner. Protecting everyone the best he can but never taking a moment to breathe. He is doing his best to stay ahead but he knows he is missing some pieces. And something bad is coming. He knows it. So much going in such little time. At this point, I just really need the next book to finally see how it all plays out. But I loved seeing so many familiar faces and the constant banter between them all. Easily the best part of this book. Another reason I couldn’t put it down. And I can’t wait to see what happens next after this latest cliffhanger!